LG G4 vs. Xiaomi Mi Note: two beasts from different worlds

Now, this comparison will be a bit more interesting. This is because we are putting the world-renown LG G4 against a device from a whole other category. The Xiaomi Mi Note comes from China and belongs to a new breed of smartphones that are said to be the “next big thing”. Xiaomi is even taking on the likes of Apple and Samsung, offering amazing devices at unbelievably low prices.

Can a phone that costs under $400 really compete against an industry top player that will likely go for about $600 to $700? Let’s see!

LG G4 specs

Android 5.1 Lollipop

5.5-inch 2560x1440p IPS Quantum display

1.8 GHz hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor

3 GB of RAM

32 GB of internal storage (up to 2 TB microSD card support)

16 MP f/1.8 rear-facing camera

8 MP f/2.0 front-facing camera

3000 mAh battery

148.9 x 76.1 x 9.8 mm

155 grams

Xiaomi Mi Note specs

5.7-inch 1920x1080p display

2.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor

3 GB of RAM

16/64 Gb of internal storage

13 MP rear-facing camera

4 MP front-facing camera

3000 mAh battery

155.1 x 77.6 x 6.95 mm

161 grams

Design and build quality

While the Xiaomi Mi Note is considered a “phablet”, it is really not that different to the LG G4. Xiaomi’s device comes with a 5.7-inch display, which is definitely crossing that very thin line LG manages to stay behind at 5.5 inches. In terms of usability, though, the Xiaomi Mi Note does feel a bit larger and is heavier.

The LG G4 will be the better looking of both, but that is not really saying the Xiaomi Mi Note doesn’t look good. It looks great; it just so happens to adopt a much more traditional design that won’t turn as many heads.

In terms of build quality, both devices will probably have a bad time facing concrete, but they both manage to feel pretty solid. In fact, we would probably give the Xiaomi Mi Note the upper hand here, as its unified body makes it feel a tiny bit better built.

Display

The Xiaomi Mi Note happens to have a great display. It may not have a QHD definition, but a good screen doesn’t really need a 1440p display to impress. It just needs good color reproduction, vibrant hues, good contrast and strong brightness. The Xiaomi Mi Note’s screen accomplishes all of these.

We do have to say this screen won’t quite beat the LG G4’s, though. LG threw the ball out of the park with their Quantum display. Add the QHD resolution and you got a winner.

Performance

It’s hard for Xiaomi to beat LG in this department, given that the Chinese manufacturer is utilizing the older processor (the same the LG G3 had). The Snapdragon 801 can’t beat the Snapdragon 808, but it can get close enough. Both phones will be fast and powerful, but you will notice a speed bump in the LG G4.

On the other hand, the LG G4 and Xiaomi Mi Note both sport 3 GB of RAM and will give you nearly identical multi-tasking capabilities.

Camera

This one is a bit complicated, as we haven’t done too much testing on the LG G4’s camera yet. The few snapshots we have taken seem to show that the LG G4 front-facing camera shows better details in images, but the Xiaomi Mi Note produces more vibrant and brighter photos (some would even say they are a bit over-exposed).

LG’s rear camera did seem a bit less crisp during our quick testing, but the colors seemed more natural too. The advantage here is that the LG G4 does give us the ability to shoot RAW images, which will give you an endless amount of possibilities during post-processing.

Overall, it’s impressive to see that Xiaomi’s affordable smartphone can get so close to the LG G4, and probably even beat it in some areas. LG’s new flagship is said to compete against the best camera phones out there, after all.

Battery life

Here’s another difficult one, as we haven’t tested the LG G4’s battery life thoroughly, but both devices have a 3000 mAh battery. The difference lies in the details, though. The LG G4 has to push more pixels and run slightly more powerful specs, which means it’s battery life will suffer at least a little bit.

We can assume the Xiaomi Mi Note will be at least slightly better at keeping a charge for longer periods of time.

Conclusion

So the LG G4 is the overall better phone, there is no question about it. The real question is whether it’s good enough to warrant you paying a couple (or multiple) hundreds of dollars more for it. That’s a hard decision to make.

I believe the real differentiation in the LG G4 is the unique design, stunning display and powerful performance. If you value those more, the new flagship will be the phone to get.

Want to save some cash and don’t mind having a 1080p resolution? You will find the Xiaomi Mi Note is more than a worthy device, and its battery life will more than likely be superior.